MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2006
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES' YURI LOWENTHAL
The Continuum continues its series of features on the cast of Kids' WB!'s Legion of Super Heroes today with Yuri Lowenthal, who provides the voice of Clark Kent/Superman.
The Continuum: Judging by the photo on your website of you in a Green Lantern shirt, it's safe to assume you're a comics fan?
Lowenthal:
Oh, yes. Very much so, although of late I haven't been able to keep up with it the way I used to. Once upon a time I'd buy at least twp copies of everything I collected: one to read and one to save. Now, I miss most of what comes out, and I'm lucky to even pick it up when it's published in trade paperback.
The Continuum: How familiar are you with the Legion?
Lowenthal: Only very recently have I become familiar. Strangely enough, with all
the comics I collected, Legion was never one of them. Now, suffice to
say, I'm a little more familiar.
The Continuum: What's your take on Superman? How does he fit in with the team, especially being the guy from the past? Is he the leader?
Lowenthal: Here's what I love about this incarnation of Superman: he's not at all
the leader. He's not Mr. Confident. He's actually pretty lost on many
different levels. He's at the point in his life where he knows he's
got these powers but is still kind of unclear about his role in the
world and his mighty destiny.
But I think it's in part his youth and
inexperience that make him a little more flexible and understanding
and curious about the new world/time. I mean, suddenly it's the 31st
Century! And it's a strange place for him to be, a world/time where
they have museums dedicated to the man he will become, celebrating
heroic things he has yet to do. It's kind of intimidating. He's
existing at once in the past, the present and the future. Okay, so
it's actually VERY intimidating for him.
But this is where he'll learn
some of the skills, have some of the experiences he'll need to become
the Superman that everybody knows and loves. It's kind of interesting
to think of Superman as having lived this "bonus life" that helped
shape who he is. Of course, if we get into that, we start dealing with
alternate universes and timelines, etc.
Let's just get back to your question: He makes a great member of the team, but he's really the
beginner here. The rest of the Legionnaires are a crack team. Okay,
not always "crack" as you'll see, but they've definitely got seniority
in this whole "fighting crime" thing.
The Continuum: Is there a sense of discovery with his powers?
Lowenthal: Absolutely, and that, I think, makes the show extra fun. I mean,
that's the inherent difficulty in writing for Superman, right? He's
all-powerful. What do you throw at a guy like that? Where can you go
from there?
The Continuum: What's the tone of the series? Is it like Teen Titans or Justice League Unlimited?
Lowenthal: Being a fan of TT as well as JLU I'd like to say it's a mix. But a mix
of all the good things from both. Obviously the show's going to air on
Kids' WB!, so it has to work for a younger set, but the writing is
still as sharp as anything on either of those other shows. And
there'll be a lot of references for the hardcore comic book and Legion
fans that'll go right over some of the younger viewers' heads. I like
to think that the show will leave no one behind. That's the challenge
and I think everyone's risen to it. And by everyone, I mean the whole
damn team putting this show together.
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The Continuum: Do you record by yourself or with the rest of the cast? Can you talk
about your castmates?
Lowenthal: We lay down all the original recordings as a cast, and then return for
ADR once the animation has come back, either as a cast, or in pieces.
And it's gonna sound mushy, but I love the people I work with. They're
top-notch on so many levels. And with each episode, we get a special
guest or two who make it even more fun. I'm always excited to go in
and record, hang with the Legion, and see who's going to make a
surprise visit that day.
The Continuum: Were you influenced by any of the other Supermen/Superboys?
Lowenthal: I must be. It's inevitable. I've been a fan as long as I can remember.
I ran around in a cape and costume when I was 4 or 5. And I still have
a cape. And a costume. Not necessarily the same ones, but what does
that tell you?
The Continuum: How far along are you on the first season?
Lowenthal: We've recorded the full first season, and are coming back in to record
ADR as the animation comes back.
The Continuum:You also worked on the Teen Titans movie, Trouble in Tokyo?
Lowenthal: I did. It was my first foray into the WB Animation Studios. And I got
there because I speak Japanese and that's what they needed right then.
Oh, and because I can scream like a girl. See, when
people/parents/guidance counselors assault you with questions like,
"Why would you spend your time doing that? When will you ever use that
skill? How will it make you any money?" just remind them that you just
never know. And odds are, your degree will go in the toilet, anyway.
The Continuum: Anything else you'd like to say?
Lowenthal: Yeah. I'm freakin' Superman. Ask me how weird that is to say.
For an interview with Kari Wahlgren, provides the voices of Saturn Girl and Triplicate Girl, CLICK HERE.
For an interview with Shawn Harrison, who provides the voice of Timber Wolf, CLICK HERE.
Copyright © 2006, The Comics Continuum